Megawati and history

Megawati and history

The first-ever direct presidential election took place on
Monday. The quick count jointly conducted by Metro TV and the
Institute of Research, Education and Information of Social and
Economic Affairs (LP3ES) shows that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has
won the election. The official count by the General Elections
Commission (KPU) has yet to be completed.

Susilo, popularly known by his initials as SBY, has received
congratulations from friends and relatives.

We could say that the coming days belong to SBY. The question
now is does Megawati Soekarnoputri still have "anything" left
after the poll?

We just want to remind the people to place Megawati properly
within the historical context. Megawati's defeat must be put in
historical perspective as the direct presidential election is
Megawati's masterpiece. Megawati took the initiative to promote
the concept of a direct presidential election with the risk that
she could be ousted and she took that risk.

Now that she has become the first victim of her decision,
Megawati should not shed tears. She must spread her smile as she
has brought to the nation a monumental victory in the
civilization of democracy. Her courage to make the decision in
the interests of the nation, risking her self esteem is indeed
the courage of a statesman. Megawati, thus, deserves this
attribute.

Megawati's defeat in the presidential election must not be
written as the fate of a loser. Megawati is the winner for all.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta